Chapter 2: Someone among you has betrayed me

You Da walked ahead, steps hurried, occasionally glancing back at Yu Lin, his eyes flickering.

"Jesus values you greatly." You Da suddenly spoke, voice low:

"He rarely invites outsiders to the Passover dinner."

Yu Lin smiled: "Perhaps because I always bring fresh topics."

"Of course, maybe I have an idea that could make you money."

"One idea, thirty silver coins."

"Want it?"

You Da said nothing more, just clenched his money pouch at his waist.

They passed through several narrow alleys, finally stopping before a stone-built house.

Light faintly glowed from the upstairs window, and the disciples' murmurs could barely be heard.

You Da pushed the door open, gesturing for Yu Lin to enter first.

"Please."

"Thank you."

AD 30, Nisan 14 (the eve of Passover).

Jerusalem, second floor of a building on Mount Zion.

A low stone table, covered with linen, an olive-oil lamp casting flickering shadows on the wall.

Yu Lin stepped inside, greeted by the aroma of roasted lamb and the warm glow of the olive-oil lamp.

Around the low long table, twelve disciples had already taken most of the seats.

Jesus sat in the center, the cuffs of his linen robe slightly rolled, revealing sturdy forearms from labor.

His gaze was calm as morning mist on Lake Jalili, but it rippled slightly when Yu Lin entered.

"Yu Lin."

"My dearest friend."

Jesus called his name, voice gentle as desert night wind: "Come sit beside me."

John shifted over at the words, making room for Yu Lin—a seat meant for the closest disciple.

He had no objection.

After all, he was merely a disciple, while Yu Lin was Jesus' dearest friend; besides, he admired Yu Lin.

This fellow from the East—his knowledge is as countless as the stars in heaven; no one knows how much he knows or understands!

The feast proceeded in warm candlelight.

Yu Lin sat to Jesus' right, able to clearly smell his faint scent.

It gave him an indescribable sense of ease and warmth.

The disciples were fervently discussing Passover lore, Peter and Andrew arguing over a scriptural interpretation until their faces flushed.

"Brother Yu Lin." One of the disciples—Matthew—suddenly turned to him:

"Do you Easterners observe Passover?"

Yu Lin lifted the ceramic cup, took a sip of wine: "We celebrate Spring Festival, also gathering family to eat special holiday foods."

He paused, recalling the warm hearth at Mary's home:

"What matters most is the family gathered together."

The disciples fell silent, twelve pairs of eyes turning toward this foreigner.

Peter was about to press for details when Jesus gently set down his bronze cup.

The cup's base striking the stone table sounded like a muffled thunder, silencing everyone instantly.

"I tell you truly," Jesus said softly, yet like a sword piercing the clamor: "One of you will betray me."

Peter shot up, knocking over the salt dish, coarse grains scattering across the table: "Lord, is it me?"

John, seated on the left, suddenly paled, instinctively gripping Jesus' sleeve.

Thomas furrowed his brow, his gaze sweeping over each face, trying to spot a flaw.........

Only Yu Lin, who knew the truth beforehand.

He noticed You Da's fingers nervously kneading the money pouch, the leather surface slick with sweat.

"Whoever I dip the bread for, that is the one."

Jesus said, breaking off a piece of unleavened bread and dipping it in the bitter herb juice.

The dark liquid seeped along the bread's grain, like blood soaking into linen.

Yu Lin watched Jesus' hand pass John, pass Peter, and finally... stop before You Da.

You Da's throat convulsed, the sweat on his forehead glittering in the candlelight.

He wanted to say something, but in the end could utter nothing.

The other disciples' gazes made him dare not lift his head, fearing their fury would consume him.

"Do what you must, do it quickly." Jesus handed the bread to You Da, his voice soft as a sigh.

Silver coins clinked from the torn seam of You Da's trembling pouch, bouncing crisply on the stone slab.

Before anyone could react, the traitor jerked up as if scalded, stumbled out the door, and vanished into Jerusalem's night.

Peter rose, chest heaving, eyes burning with anger and confusion: "Master, why didn't you stop him?!"

Jesus shook his head: "What is written must be fulfilled."

He then took another piece of bread, broke it, and offered it to all:

"Eat."

The room fell silent again, only the oil lamp occasionally sputtering tiny sparks.

Yu Lin felt doubtful.

This development he knew was not the same.......... Many processes were missing.

For example, Jesus was to go to Ke Xi Ma Ni Hua Yuan to pray three times; for example, Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of the High Priest's servant Ma Le Gu; for example, Jesus stopped the violence and healed Ma Le Gu.......

Perhaps it is because he came here that the butterfly effect occurred?

Jesus' gaze swept over the long table, finally resting on Yu Lin.

"Yu Lin." He called softly, "Do you have nothing you want to ask?"

Yu Lin raised his head, locking eyes with Jesus.

Those eyes were calm and profound, as if they could see through everything—making Yu Lin involuntarily suspect whether Jesus had seen through his mission.

This Son of God.

"I was just thinking......"

Yu Lin slowly spoke, "Thirty silver coins, really worth it?"

Jesus gently shook his head, his fingertip brushing the rough wooden table: "To lay down one's life for a friend is the greatest love, but if one betrays a brother for money..."

He suddenly paused, listening afar, "The time has come."

Outside the window came the sound of clashing armor.

Peter jumped up: "It's You Da bringing people!"

"Master, what should we do?" John said, his voice trembling with urgency.

Downstairs, a heavy pounding on the door had already begun.

Jesus calmly rose to his feet, the oil lamp casting his shadow onto the stone wall: "Let them come."

He turned to the disciples: "Leave through the small western door."

Yu Lin and the disciples walked toward the small door.

But when he turned back, he saw Jesus walking alone toward the stairway.

"Wait!" Yu Lin blurted out.

Jesus turned back; moonlight poured from the high window, gilding him with a silver edge.

"My dearest friend, this is my destined path; there is no need to grieve for me."

"It's just a pity......... I had wanted to go with you to that mysterious East......... Life is never perfectly fulfilling."

"As you and I have said: people experience joy and sorrow, parting and reunion; the moon has its waxing and waning."

"My dearest friend, come on; history will remember our meeting."

Yu Lin's Adam's apple rolled once; he wanted to say something, but he suddenly found he could not utter the words of warning, only able to say:

"Take care."

Jesus returned a gentle smile and turned to go downstairs.

At that moment Yu Lin suddenly realized that this carpenter's son, walking toward his destiny, was truly just a friend come to share the Passover with him.

"Hurry up!"

A disciple grabbed Yu Lin's arm.

When the Roman soldiers' footsteps made the stairs creak, Yu Lin gave Jesus' straight back one last glance.

There was no divine miracle, no portent—only an ordinary person who, knowing he would be betrayed, still walked toward suffering.

The night wind carried the distant priests' curses, and Yu Lin followed the disciples into the hidden passage.

Next.

He had to accomplish that mission—

Steal Jesus' body.

Perhaps, not just stealing.